Identification & Thanatology · NEET PG Preparation Forensic Medicine
A forensic pathologist is estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) of a body found indoors in a temperate climate. Which of the following post-morte…
Practice question from Identification & Thanatology (NEET PG Preparation Forensic Medicine), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.
medium · MCQ · Q-4694CF
A forensic pathologist is estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) of a body found indoors in a temperate climate. Which of the following post-mortem changes follows the most reliable and predictable time-course during the first 24 hours after death?
- A.Algor mortis (cooling of the body)
- B.Rigor mortis (stiffening of muscles)
- C.Livor mortis (post-mortem hypostasis)Correct answer
- D.Putrefaction and gas formation
Solution
Livor mortis (post-mortem staining/hypostasis) starts appearing within 1 to 2 hours after death, becomes well-marked in 4 to 5 hours, and becomes fixed (non-blanching on pressure) usually by 8 to 12 hours. Because of its relatively consistent appearance and fixation timeline, livor mortis, combined with the state of rigor mortis and body temperature, is a standard marker, though livor mortis progression and fixation are exceptionally useful for estimating early PMI and detecting body repositioning.
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